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WHO Warns of Severe Global Shortage of Nurses

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - The World Health Organization warns a severe global shortage
   of nurses is putting the lives of millions of people at risk and is
   particularly worrisome at a time when the world is doing battle with
   the COVID-19 pandemic. To mark World Health Day, the first ever State
   of the World's Nursing Report, produced jointly by WHO and the
   International Council of Nurses, is being launched.

   Data from 191 countries show the critical work performed by nurses is
   frequently undervalued. Instead of celebrating their skills and
   compassion, the survey finds nurses too often are abused, subject to
   discrimination, and work long hours under stressful conditions for low
   pay.

   Nurses account for more than half of all the world's health workers and
   are the backbone of any health system. The report reveals there are
   just under 28 million nurses worldwide, which leaves a global shortfall
   of nearly six million nurses.

   The greatest gaps are found in countries in Africa, South East Asia,
   the Eastern Mediterranean region and some parts of Latin America. CEO
   of the International Council of Nurses and Co-Chair of the report,
   Howard Catton, says nursing shortages put many lives at risk,
   especially in light of COVID-19.

   "We know that the evidence shows that infection rates, medication
   errors, identifying a deteriorating patient, mortality rates are all
   higher where there are too few nurses," said Catton. "Nursing numbers
   is a patient safety issue. But it also matters because shortages
   exhaust our current nursing workforce. High levels of stress, burnout,
   high turnover rates as well."

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